China warns US Legislators on Tibet issue

October 13, 2009

Phayul
October 09, 2009

Dharamsala, Oct 9 -- China on Friday warned
members of the US Congress to 'stop using the
Tibet issue' to meddle in Beijing's domestic
politics, after top US lawmakers gave a human rights award to the Dalai Lama.

'We urge some US members of Congress to respect
the history and the facts, recognise the true
face of the Dalai Lama and stop using the Tibet
issue to interfere in China's internal affairs,'
AFP reported foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu as saying.

'Chinese people know exactly what kind of man the
Dalai Lama is,' Ma said, when asked about the
award given to the exiled Tibetan spiritual
leader by the congressional Tom Lantos Human
Rights Commission, named for a late lawmaker.

'He is the leader of the dark feudal serf system
of old Tibet, who is still engaged in splitting
the motherland and undermining Tibet's social
stability and national unity," Ma added.

The Dalai Lama, who is in Washington for a
week-long visit, has repeatedly insisted he only
wants greater autonomy for Tibet and not full-fledged independence.

Several top Congressional leaders also met the
exiled Tibetan leader on Thursday, reaffirming
their support to the Tibetan cause.

"I remain concerned about religious freedom,
cultural freedom and human rights for Tibetans,
and believe these issues should be an important
part of our discussions with China," PTI reported
Senator Harry Reid as saying after his meeting with the Dalai Lama.

Reid said the two leaders discussed many
important issues including the current situation
in Tibet. "The Dalai Lama is a symbol of peace
and hope for so many around the world and his
work on behalf of the people of Tibet continues
to be a source of inspiration for his countrymen," he said.

The Tibetan spiritual leader also met the members
of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during
which they discussed a wide range of issues
including the Dalai Lama's tireless efforts to
forge reconciliation with China and advance the
human rights of Tibetans through peaceful dialogue.

The Chinese criticism comes even though President
Barack Obama did not meet the Dalai Lama during
the trip. US President Barack Obama, who won the
Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, has said he will
meet the Dalai Lama later this year, after his
maiden presidential trip to China next month - a
move criticised by rights groups and some lawmakers.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who appeared
alongside the Dalai Lama at the Congressional
awards ceremony in the US Capitol on Tuesday,
called Tibet a 'challenge to the conscience of
the world' and urged China to consider the Dalai Lama's message of tolerance.